How does the speed skating mass start work?
I · Intermediate · Team, mass start and combined events · 3 of 3All skaters start together with no lanes. At the Olympics, World Cups and championships, the race has three intermediate sprints, after laps 4, 8 and 12, worth 3, 2 and 1 points, and a final sprint worth 60, 40, 20, 10, 6 and 3. The most points wins, so the first three across the line take the medals.
How it works
- Olympic distance: 16 laps.
- Start: rows of up to six, on the 1000 m line.
- First lap: no acceleration until a second signal.
- Intermediate sprints: laps 4, 8 and 12; 3, 2 and 1 points.
- Final sprint: 60, 40, 20, 10, 6 and 3 points.
- No points: ranked by finishing order.
- Lapped skaters: must leave the race within a lap.
- Conduct: blocking, charging or pushing may be a disqualification.
The glossary has the mass start, the points race format, the draft, the lap, the disqualification and the finish.
Tricky cases
Can a skater win on intermediate points alone?
No. The final sprint points are set so the first three finishers take the top three places.
A skater does not finish. Do their sprint points count?
No. Points from intermediate sprints are not credited if the skater does not finish.
A big crash happens on the first lap. What then?
The race is stopped and restarted at once.
Can coaches stand in the infield during the race?
No. Coaches are not admitted to the coaches' area or the infield during mass starts.
Why the rule exists
Large final-sprint points ensure the race is won at the end, while the small sprints reward attacks earlier. Rules on lapped skaters keep the pack clear.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Olympics, World Cups, championships | Three sprints; final 60 to 3 | ISU 265 (6.3) |
| Youth Olympics, World Juniors | Two sprints; final 30 to 1 | ISU 265 (6.4) |
| No intermediate sprints | Order of finish only | ISU 265 (6.2) |
From the rule book
ISU, Sports Rules: Speed Skating (as of 12 June 2026), rules 202, 257 and 265 (6). Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the ISU Sports Rules, updated each season with ISU Communications.